Accredited naturopathic medical schools are four-year, in-residence, hands-on medical programs consisting of a minimum of 4,100 hours of class and clinical training. During naturopathic medical school, students are educated in the biomedical sciences as well as the latest advances in science in combination with natural approaches to therapy. They also study disease prevention and clinical techniques.

In addition to a standard medical curriculum, schools require their graduates to complete four years of training in...

Learn more at the Environmental Health Symposium

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, primarily metabolized by glucuronidation that is associated with various human diseases. It is a high throughput chemical-over 6 billion pounds are produced globally each year. While there is a huge market and multiple industrial uses for this compound, its deleterious effect on human health continues to be revealed...

Of all the healing botanicals that adorn our planet, few offer the astonishing phytochemical bounty of cannabis. This flowering plant contains a cornucopia of 400 unique chemicals, with approximately 70 non-psychogenic but potent bioactive cannabinoids.1,2 These non-psychogenic cannabinoids are amazingly versatile. Breakthrough research shows cannabinoids may treat everything from opiate addiction to epilepsy, the pain of arthritis and fibromyalgia, and even enhance the efficacy of mainstream treatments for cancer.3-5

In January 2017, the B vitamin biotin was in the news as a possible breakthrough treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). This positive news was dampened a bit when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning regarding the safety of biotin on November 28, 2017.1 The headlines generated from the FDA warning are a bit misleading as biotin is certainly safe, even at the massive doses being used in multiple sclerosis. The safety concern is that high dosages of biotin can significantly interfere with certain laboratory tests. This interference can lead to dangerously...

Pomegranate seeds have been used traditionally in Mediterranean countries and in ancient Ayurveda for a variety of disorders including infertility, insufficient breast milk, hypermenorrhea, and genital pain. Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) mainly contains unsaturated fatty acids such as γ-linoleic acid (Gamma linolenic acid, or GLA) and linolenic acid and phytoestrogens (campesterol, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol). These phytoestrogens have led some to assert that it could be an effective option for menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, libido and mood. A 2012...

Why is it that so many patients are looking for alternative and complementary medicines and treatments?

Should more studies be conducted on alternative or complementary treatments, or is it a waste of money and time?

Does integrative medicine belong in academic medical centers—should it be taught at all?

These are among the questions that I discussed last month as a panelist on a Medscape Facebook Live event—Both Sides Now with medical ethicist Dr. Art Caplan. The theme: “Alternative Medicine: Should Physicians Embrace or Reject It?” You...

Part I presented compelling data on both the efficacy and the economic savings of naturopathic approaches to reducing cardiovascular risk and chronic back pain. Two more studies are discussed below, followed by data on patient behavior, which indicates significant cost savings for those who seek naturopathic care.

The two other studies did not have companion economic analyses, but they did show significant health improvements. Adjunctive naturopathic care for...

Naturopathic doctors may at times receive this question from their patients. It is nice to know that there is an evidence-based response that says “Yes!”

Rising health care costs have been a fact for some time. Evidence is now emerging that adding or enhancing adjunctive care services can serve to reduce overall costs. Much of the evidence relates to treating chronic conditions that can be major cost drivers within health care. This article highlights the findings from four randomized clinical trials conducted in partnership with a major Canadian corporation and a major union, and...

A steadily growing percentage of the population is choosing to focus on prevention, wellness and natural approaches to managing illness by seeking out practitioners of complementary and integrative medicine. As such, many are seeking the advice of naturopathic doctors to guide this process in a safe and effective way.

Despite the popularity of natural medicine, there is a lot of confusion around what naturopathic medicine is and how naturopathic doctors practice. Below we will address some common myths and misunderstandings about naturopathic medicine.

Myth #1: I can get an...

Whether as parents or the children themselves, a majority of your patient population is either gearing up for (or are already) heading back to school. As beach days get traded for evenings hitting the books, this busy time can be met with excitement, but more likely, a lot of anxiety including high hopes for kids to stay healthy, happy and focused on learning.

To help ease some of this anxiety and support overall health and well-being, our Medical Education team has put together a list of foundational supplements that, in addition to a great multivitamin, should be in every child’s...